While her husband was working in a mine only 300 metres away, a woman was brutally murdered and robbed in her home on Sunday morning in Kampong Thom province’s Sandan district.

Sok Mony, a police officer in the district’s Kleng commune, said Som Mao, 46, was gagged before her throat was slit and the suspect fled the scene.

“She was robbed while she was staying alone and cooking rice for her husband and other workers. Before murdering her, the robber put a cotton scarf into her mouth, so she would not be able to shout for help. He then cut her throat and almost separated her head from her body,” the officer said.

The thief then made away with US$1,000, a chunk of gold from the mine, a motorbike and a mobile phone.  Police said they have identified a suspect, but would not release a name because they were close to making an arrest.

“We are still working the investigation and seeking the robber. Based on our experience, we hope we will arrest him soon,” Sok Mony said.